I am from playing “fumble” in the corner with Uncle Charlie
from breathing hard and playing for hours
from laughing and smiling all day long
I am from hours of playing at Memaw and Pawpaw’s house
from the red swing set in the backyard
from the big smiles and warm hugs
I am from special breakfasts at S.H. Donuts
from free donut holes always being slipped into the bag
from the cozy, corner table by the window
I am from hiding out from the scorching hot sun in the garage
from the sweet, sticky popsicles
from the long-haired dolls and accessories that surrounded me
I am from leaping across the creek behind Grandma and Grandpa’s house to get to the park
from the steep, plastic slides
from being lifted up to reach the mini zip line
I am from playing “spoons” at Grandma Helen’s house
from trying to keep up with the grown-ups
from the fuzzy feeling when I finally won
I am from the Dellwood baseball fields that were only two blocks away
from the exhilarating feeling of stealing a base
from the piping hot nachos from the concession stand
I am from family trips with all of my grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins
from spending every minute with my cousin Izzie
from crying when it was time to go home
I am from dressing up for BooFest at my elementary school
from sprinting from one Halloween carnival booth to the next
from always ending up at the playground afterwards
I am from annual road trips around Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois
from meeting new people everyday
from staying with family along the way
I am from the “forest” behind Nana and D’s house that was actually just a lot of trees
from “exploring” with my little brother
from shrieking excitedly when I spotted a deer even though it scared them away
I am from colorful “piñatas” at Escuelita for every birthday
from the banging on them with the long stick until they unleashed a flood of sweetness
from waiting impatiently, then lunging for lollipops and Tootsie Rolls
I am from painting my nails with my mom every Sunday
from spending longer deciding which color I wanted than actually painting them
from always smudging them because they took “waaaay too long to dry!”
I am from belting Christmas songs in the living room starting on November first
from dancing around the whole house
from having to take breaks to drink hot chocolate then starting again with even more energy
I am from my family
from endless, unconditional love
from comfort, happiness, and laughter
by Lucy C.